Description: Family members find themselves in conflict over the younger generation’s success as a family band – the same kinds of conflict that broke up their parents’ famous rock band 20 years before. The most painful thing, though, is that some of the mothers and some of their daughters are in a serious dispute that may threaten their relationships. Can all of the conflict be resolved before not only the family band but the amilies themselves are destroyed?

Theme: Real love and compassionate communication overcome.

It’s a drama with a good portion of music and a little comedy to lighten the mood now and then.

The youth band sings and plays a variety of types of music. There are sub-groups that specialize in one particular type of music (pop, rock, blues, country, folk, musical theater). The parents’ band sang ‘80s rock in the style of The Bangles, Fleetwood Mac, The Go-Go’s, The Pretenders, Pat Benatar, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Debbie Gibson, etc. The youngest mom’s solo act also performs a variety of types of music. The grandparents’ band performed folk/country music.

Multi-award winning singer-songwriter-actress Sarah Lonsert has the lead younger generation role if it works out for her to take it. Sarah wrote and sang the theme song (“I Will Rise”) for Michael John Gabriel’s short film “High Casting” and played a small role in the movie. “I Will Rise” has gone on to win the Director’s Award in the Nashville International Song and Lyric Contest. She was recently on the ballot for 8 Grammy Awards. You can hear Sarah sing many of her songs on YouTube.com, ReverbNation.com, and MySpace.com. Here’s a song that demonstrates some of what Sarah can do with her voice as well as showing some of her acting ability. And here’s the one she wrote for my film.

Playing one of the 10-11 year olds will be the amazing young guitarist Zack Quintana. Here he is.

Playing the youngest brother in the older generation will be Jono Manson who is also the Music Producer for the film. See Jono’s bio here and listen to one of his songs here.

Playing the Family Counselor will be Michael John Gabriel.

Most other roles are still open. We are hoping to sign at least 2 well-known actors to the cast.

Most of this movie will be shot in Los Angeles. Some scenes will be shot in Santa Fe and one or two scenes will be shot in Las Vegas.

We’ll shoot it in summer, 2012, or as soon as we have the financing, whichever comes later.

SAG Ultra-Low Budget agreement, which allows us to mix SAG actors with non-SAG actors. Pending financing, the agreement may be upgraded.

Rate/pay: Depends on role and financing. We won’t start shooting until financing is in place. All speaking actors will be paid.

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
We are now auditioning for actors, who will be able to play the following characters in July, 2012:
Musical Roles:

2 males or females (4-5 years old, any race possible, to be consistent with their fathers). Act and have potential as singers. Able to play advanced beginning level or better on piano or another instrument desirable. Not members of the band – yet.

-Son or daughter of oldest sister/cousin (24, younger generation) and her husband.

Family (8-24 years old, one Caucasian parent and another parent of any race): Siblings/cousins, children of the older generation band members. Members of an up and coming family band. All both act and either sing or play instruments (or both). Some must play instruments well enough to cover lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, drums, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, tambourine, cow bell, etc. Other instruments are desirable.

-Male or female (8-9): Son or daughter of youngest mother (34).

-Male or female (10-11): Son or daughter of fourth mother (40).

-Male or female (10-11): Son or daughter of youngest father (46).

-Male or female (12-13): Son or daughter of youngest mother (34).

-Male or female (12-13): Son or daughter of second mother (older of 44 twins).

-2 Males or females (14-15): Twin sons or daughters of third mother (younger of 44 twins).

-Male or female (14-15): Son or daughter of youngest father (46).

-Male or female (16-17): Son or daughter of third mother (younger of 44 twins).

-Male or female (16-17): Son or daughter of second mother (older of 44 twins).

-Male or female (16-17): Son or daughter of youngest father (46).

-Male or female (16-17): Son or daughter of oldest father (50).

-Male or female (18-19): Son or daughter of fourth mother (40).

-Male or female (18-19): Son or daughter of second mother (older of 44 twins).

-Male or female (18-19): Son or daughter of oldest mother (48).

-Male or female (18-19): Son or daughter of oldest father (50).

-Male or female (20-21): Son or daughter of third mother (younger of 44 twins).

-Male or female (20-21): Son or daughter of second mother (older of 44 twins).

-Male or female (20-21): Son or daughter of oldest mother (48).

-Male or female (20-21): Son or daughter of oldest father (50).

-Female (24): Daughter of oldest mother (48). Wife of oldest member of youth band (male 26) and mother with him of one of the 4 year old children.

-Male (26 – any race to be consistent with his 4 year old daughter): Plays multiple stringed instruments very well. May or may not sing. Husband of the oldest sister/cousin (24). Member of the family band because of marriage. Mentor for youth who play stringed instruments. Father with his wife of one of the 4 year old children.

One 10 year old role and one 18 year old role are ALREADY CAST.

Genders and exact ages of the youth band members and younger children depend on what talent we sign to the project.

The family is mostly Caucasian, but there is some diversity as a result of adoptions, fathers of different races, and the 24 year old female’s marriage to the 26 year old male.

Older generation band:

Family (34-50 years old, all Caucasian) who are former members of a famous rock band (20 – 28 years before). All both act and sing. Mothers and father of the members of the youth band.

-The youngest sister (34) has continued working as a soloist with her own band. Ability to play an instrument is desirable. Also an actress in films. 3 of the children are hers by 2 fathers. She is with a long-term romantic partner.

-The fourth sister (40) is a high school music/choir teacher and music coach, a private vocal coach, and the vocal coach and arranger for the youth band. Ability to play an instrument is desirable. 2 of the children are hers by 2 fathers. She is married.

-The third sister (the younger of 44 year old twins) is a manager for music acts, including the youth band. Ability to play an instrument is desirable. 4 of the children are hers by 2 fathers. She is currently single.

-The second sister (the older of 44 year old twins) is a music producer. She produces the youth band’s music. Ability to play an instrument is desirable. 4 of the children are hers by 2 fathers. She is married.

-The youngest brother (46) played rhythm guitar and sang in the older generation band and has continued being the rhythm guitar-player and back-up singer for the 34 year old soloist’s act. Must play rhythm guitar very well. Mentor for the youth rhythm guitar-players. 3 of the children are his by one mother. Married to one of the other back-up band members or to one of the back-up singers (depending on who we cast). ALREADY CAST.

-The oldest sister (48) is an at-home mom, home school teacher, and costumer and nurturer for the youth band. Ability to play an instrument is desirable. She takes care of the kids in the larger family whose parents are busy with work. 5 of the children are hers by 3 fathers. She is married.

– The oldest brother (50) played bass guitar and sang in the older generation band and has continued being the bassist and back-up singer for the 34 year old soloist’s act. Must play the bass guitar very well. Mentor for the youth bassist. 3 of the children are his by one mother. Married to one of the other back-up band members or to one of the back-up singers (depending on who we cast).

Back-up band for youngest mother’s solo act:

Males or females (20-65, any race) who act and play instruments very well. Might sing as back-up singers. Ability to play multiple instruments desirable.

-Lead guitar-player.

-Keyboard-player.

-Drummer.

-Fiddler.

-Harmonica-player.

-Saxophone-player.

Back-up singers for youngest mother’s solo act:

4 males and females (20-60, any race) who sing very well and are able to harmonize.

Wife (36-46) of the youngest older generation father/brother and mother of his 3 children is either a member of the back-up band or else one of the back-up singers.

Wife (40-50) of the oldest older generation father/brother and mother of his 3 children is either a member of the back-up band or else one of the back-up singers.

Oldest generation band:

Grandparents (75ish years old, Caucasian) and great aunt and uncle (70-80, Caucasian) are parents and great aunt and uncle of the older generation band members. Patriarchs and matriarchs of the whole family. Act and either sing or play instruments very well, or both sing and play. Were 4 of the members of a folk/country quintet 45-55 years before. The fifth member died in a car wreck, which led to the end of the group. Live in Santa Fe and are the reason the whole family visits NM frequently.